saz

Where does the word "saz" come from? It comes from Persian sāz, passing through Turkish before entering English (1900s).

Saz’s story begins in Persian: sāz meant “musical instrument.” Meant an instrument, or the tuning of one. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in Turkish as saz. The instrument of the wandering 'aşık' folk poets of Anatolia. It reached English by 1900s as saz. Entered English with Turkish folk music, and with the Turkish community in Germany and Britain. Today, saz means a long-necked Turkish lute.

1. Stage 1 · Persian · medieval sāz "musical instrument", meant an instrument, or the tuning of one.
2. Stage 2 · Turkish · 1500s saz "long-necked lute", the instrument of the wandering 'aşık' folk poets of Anatolia.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1900s saz "Turkish lute", entered English with Turkish folk music, and with the Turkish community in Germany and Britain.